Bacterial contamination of indoor air, surfaces, and settled dust, and related dust endotoxin concentrations in healthy office buildings

• Autorzy: Bouillard L. , Michel O. , Dramaix M. , Devleeschouwer M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Endotoxin, a characteristic external fraction of the outer membrane from Gram-negative bacteria, continuously shed into the environment, is considered as an important risk factor for human health. Our purpose was to study the bacterial species contaminating healthy working environments. Airborne, working surfaces and carpet dust samples were collected from 25 offices. Bacterial species were identified with biochemical ApiSystem® strips. Endotoxin concentrations in settled dust were measured with the kinetic chromogenic Limulus assay. The airborne bacterial level varied from 44-2,511, with a median of 277 cfu/m3. Bacterial contamination on surfaces ranged from 1-1000, with 33 cfu/25 cm2 as median value. On carpets, bacterial concentration ranged from 0.73-185 x 105 cfu/g, with 7.28 x 105 cfu/g as median value. Endotoxin concentration varied from 4.6-116.2 EU/mg, with a median of 20.3 EU/mg. Altogether, 501 bacterial strains were isolated. The species variability was greater in Gram-negative bacteria than in Gram-positive cocci with 41 versus 34 various species. In conclusion, people working in healthy offices can be exposed to large concentrations of airborne and dust bacteria and related endotoxin concentrations, giving a risk of work-related diseases.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

indoor air; settled dust; bacterial contamination; dust endotoxin; bioaerosol; endotoxin; healthy office building

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
• Rocznik: 2005
• Tom: 12
• Numer: 2
• Opis fizyczny: p.187-192,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Bouillard L.

• Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Plaine, CP 205/2, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgique

autor

Michel O.

autor

Dramaix M.

autor

Devleeschouwer M.

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